Field atlas / 02
Reading Rocks
Explore the three great rock families
English PDF · 96 pages$18.99
View ebookHome / The Guides / The Mineral Observer
Design sample — final ebook in preparation.
Field atlas / 01
The Mineral Observer
Learn to look before you label
Turn curiosity into careful observation. Learn to describe colour, lustre and visible form, compare possible mineral identities and keep clear notes without rushing to a name.
$18.99English PDF · 88 planned pages
Digital PDF ebook in English. No physical book, specimens, tools or other equipment are included. For personal use only.
- —Distinguish observation from identification.
- —Describe visible colour, lustre and form.
- —Compare possible matches using reference material.
Field atlas / 01
About this guide
A beautiful specimen catches your eye. Knowing what to look for next can be harder.
The Mineral Observer gives beginners a structured starting point: look closely, describe what is visible, compare reliable references and record what remains uncertain.
Explore colour, lustre and form, build a simple observation kit and use worksheets to separate evidence from guesses. Create a useful record of your specimen before reaching for a label.
What you will learn
By the end of this guide
- 01Distinguish observation from identification.
- 02Describe visible colour, lustre and form.
- 03Compare possible matches using reference material.
- 04Keep provisional labels and observation records.
Who this is for
Beginners who want a clearer method for looking at mineral specimens.
What it does not do
Contents
It does not identify a specimen for you, certify an identity or a value, or promise that an unidentified mineral is safe to handle. Identification may need more information and specialist help, and collecting depends on local rules and permission.
Every chapter and its starting page
- 4Before you begin
- 8Rocks and minerals
- 18Build an observation kit
- 28Colour and lustre
- 40Form and surface clues
- 54Compare possible matches
- 68Record uncertainty
- 76Observation worksheets
- 86Further reading
88 planned pages. Chapter start pages are the editorial plan for this edition, not verified final pagination.
Look inside
A sample page, shown in full.
Sample page · VELTAN · 30
Describe before you decide
Start with what you can see. Record the colour, surface appearance and visible shape before suggesting a name. A photograph or one striking feature rarely settles an identification. Keep your observations separate from your interpretation.
Try it
- Observe: write three visible features.
- Compare: consult a reliable reference.
- Record: keep uncertain names provisional.
Design sample — final ebook in preparation.
FAQ
Before you choose.
Are these physical books?
No. These products are English-language PDF ebooks. No physical books, specimens or equipment are included.
Do I need to know geology already?
No. The guides are designed as an introduction, with observation prompts and explanations for beginners.
Will a guide identify every specimen for me?
No. Identification may require more information and specialist help. The guides help you observe, compare references and record uncertainty; they do not certify an identity or value.
Are these crystal healing guides?
No. VELTAN focuses on observation, introductory geology and collection records, without healing or medical claims.
Do I need special tools?
You can begin with a notebook and close observation. Any additional equipment discussed in a guide is not included with your purchase.
Can I collect rocks anywhere?
No. Check local access and collecting rules and obtain any required permission. An interesting place to observe is not automatically a place where removal is allowed.
How do I receive the ebooks?
After a completed purchase, the PDF files are supplied through the store’s digital delivery service. A PDF reader is needed to open them.
Can I share the files?
The files are for personal use. Please do not redistribute, resell or upload them for others.
The other guides
Continue your reading
Field atlas / 03
The Specimen Cabinet
Build a collection with a story
English PDF · 72 pages$18.99
View ebook
The VELTAN Field Atlas Collection
Explore the complete collection.
Three complementary digital guides: careful observation, the three rock families and a collection you can keep organised. 256 planned pages.
£46.99
The three guides are added to your basket as three separate digital ebooks.
Digital product notice
Digital PDF ebook in English. No physical book, specimens, tools or other equipment are included. Cover and interior images are design samples of an edition still in preparation. For personal use only.
Observing responsibly
These guides help you observe, compare references and record uncertainty — they do not certify an identity, a value or a safe specimen, and they are not crystal healing or gemstone appraisal guides. Check local access and collecting rules and obtain any required permission before removing anything. Younger readers need appropriate adult supervision. The photographs are editorial illustrations, not authenticated identification plates.
VELTAN
Look closer. Keep the story.